Coming soon to Riverbank: Discussion of Imax sign

Apparently, a ginormous sign isn’t required to sell Imax tickets.

Moviegoers on Friday began reserving spots for “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” set to hit the really big screen March 24 with or without the huge illuminated Imax sign that Galaxy Theatres hasn’t gotten permission to put up.

The city’s rules limit such signs to 260 square feet, 40 feet high. The company asked City Hall for an exception allowing a sign more than twice that size – 530 square feet, reaching 47 feet.

City planners said “no,” then found out that Galaxy already had installed steel supports – not just on the wall of the three-stories-plus wall, but through the wall and into the building’s frame. That’s “an expensive mistake to correct,” a city report says.

But never fear when Superman and Batman are almost here.

City Council members on Tuesday will consider granting a variance, or special permission for Galaxy’s sizable sign. Accommodating staff members have suggested various points of justification, including:

▪ “Strict application of the zoning ordinance deprives the subject of privileges enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity and under identical zoning classifications.”

▪ “There is no other theater auditorium that has an Imax screen within 55 miles of Riverbank.”

▪ “Other theaters that feature an Imax screen have this same-size exterior sign.”

▪ “This visual symbol will attract additional patronage and serve as a beacon for the economic success of present and future business throughout the city.”

▪ “The city’s general plan recognizes the uniqueness of each business necessary for a vibrant local economy.”

▪ “The sign will be facing Patterson Road, away from residential neighborhoods.”

Galaxy’s Imax screen will be the largest in the San Joaquin Valley, the company says. Its 404-seat theater, on the west end of the Galaxy Luxury-Plus complex, will boast a floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall screen, more than three stories high and over 70 feet wide.

Every film in the Imax theater will be digitally remastered to enhance clarity and detail, the company says. Two projectors run simultaneously as the film’s audio blasts from Imax’s proprietary multi-thousand-watt amplifiers.

The City Council also is scheduled to form a “project working group” to oversee development of an annex next to the Riverbank Museum, and to consider options for “future oversight and ownership of the Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant.” Although the city began to assume responsibility for the site from the federal government in 2006, Riverbank leaders aren’t sure they want to continue the city’s interest in transformation to a business complex.

Tuesday’s council meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the chamber at 6707 Third St., Riverbank. For details, go to www.riverbank.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/03082016-361.

This story was originally published March 6, 2016 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Coming soon to Riverbank: Discussion of Imax sign."